Under the bright lights, loud cheers, and unelucidated blood, sweat, and tears of the Ohama Daishin Arena, Mapúan Taekwondo athlete Dean Ziglar V. Barreiro carved his name into the international spotlight after capturing gold at the prestigious 21st Japan WATA Open Taekwondo Championship held last April 26 to 27.

In a fiery showcase of grit and nail-biting clashes, the Mapúa Gaming Society (MGS), proudly representing Mapúa University (MU), emerged as princes of the Land of Dawn after securing a 2nd runner-up finish in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Esports Kickoff: Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) Tournament last July 27 at the Philippine GameDev Expo, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.